► Second-generation BMW X2 review
► Similar recipe, upgraded with latest tech
► Does the sportier, slammed X2 make sense?
You know how sometimes people get a bit careless with words? When everything is awesome, being awesome becomes meaningless. We fear BMW is in danger of having the same problem with ‘iconic’ – case in point for the new BMW X2 is the ‘Iconic Glow Kidney Grille’. Which comes as standard on this range-topping X2 M35i variant.
This is a roundabout way of saying: please stop. While a Fast and Furious-style illuminated grille opening is arguably better than those full-width front light bars others are now using, it’s not really helping with the X2’s image. Can’t we just be a little more subtle about these things?
Not that there’s ever been much subtle about BMW’s self-defined Sports Activity Coupes. Your local environmentalist will point out these coupe-styled SUVs take a bigger than necessary car and make it less practical by virtue of a swooping roofline – something that makes no logical sense.
With 296bhp and 295lb ft, the M Performance-tuned M35i ought to have the best shot of making up for this from an emotional perspective. And since you can’t see the illuminated grille from the inside, let’s climb in and get cracking.
At a glance
Pros: Powerful, spacious, packed with tech
Cons: Hard ride, lack of buttons
What’s new?
This is the second-generation BMW X2 and joking aside, it’s having a more serious go at the coupe thing. Compared with the original it is much swoopier – but also bigger in every dimension, to the point where it’s even 54mm longer than the BMW X1 it’s based on. So despite appearances, it is actually more practical than before, too.
The platform is shared with – among other things – the latest Mini Countryman, which makes this M35i version an interesting comparison to the Countryman JCW. Especially since they were both launched at the same event in Portugal.
Not only do the two have similar 2.0-litre turbo engines, all-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, they also both have the latest Operating System 9 infotainment system – albeit flavoured to suit their respective brands. Which is to say, no cartoon dog avatar for the X2, and a slightly different choice of ambience-shifting mode settings.
What are the specs?
We’ve only had access to the X2 M35i so far, but it’s not exactly going to be a broad range of ICE models anyway. The only other version in the UK price list that doesn’t come with electric motors (and we’ve got a separate iX2 review) is the X2 sDrive20i.
This is a front-wheel drive model powered by a 168bhp 1.5-litre turbo-petrol triple that makes 206lb ft and 0-62mph in 8.3sec. Official claimed fuel economy is 44.8-48.7mpg, with 143-131g/km CO2 emissions. Top speed is 132mph.
The all-wheel drive M35i’s 296bhp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol claims 34.9-36.7mpg, 183-174g/km and a very believable 5.4sec 0-62mph time. Top speed is 155mph.
How does it drive?
Well, the X2 M35i is every bit as fast as those stats suggest, but somehow struggles to deliver real excitement with it. In part due to the joy-killing suspension, which is even firmer than the Countryman JCW’s and similarly equipped with non-driver-adjustable ‘adaptive’ damping.
This is a variable valving solution that presumably stops the X2 being bounced into the undergrowth but doesn’t really protect you from feeling the worst of the road surface. It does counter body roll reasonably effectively, so you can make the most of the sharp steering, yet we were never inspired to turn round and try that twisting section of mountain road again.
The steering is sharp mind. Even switchback hairpins rarely require you to shift your hands from the wheel, and the X2 can certainly be directed accurately enough. Grip is tenacious, too, with plenty of all-wheel drive traction.
For all the engine’s performance, this lacks sparkle, too, and though the transmission does what you want most of the time it never seems 100 per cent convinced that you know what you’re doing. A little judgy, but possibly fair.
Fundamentally, the X2 does a good job. From BMW, however, we have come to expect a great one. For what it’s worth, we preferred the electric version. Perhaps that’s telling.
What about the interior?
Very well put together, but again, not the last word in excitement. There’s the now familiar (iconic?) ‘BMW Curved Display’ on the top of the dashboard – a pair of screens, one for the instruments, one for the infotainment, combined – and the sort of high-quality materials buyers of lesser Mercedes can only dream of.
What you won’t find is many buttons. Climate control is now via the touchscreen or voice (Mercedes gets its own back by being better at the latter) and there’s no longer any rotary iDrive controller. Boo, hiss, etc.
BMW Operating System 9 seems slick enough. It’s now even more smartphone-like, to the point where you can add apps to stream video or even do a bit of gaming. And if you think that’s wacky, you wait until you start mucking about with the ‘My Modes’ settings.
There are three as standard – Personal, Sport and Efficient – which seem normal enough; you can make some drivetrain and steering-weighting adjustments as you’d probably expect as well. However, the BMW Digital Premium option adds Expressive, Relax and Digital Art modes… these alter the appearance of the central display, tinker with the ambient lighting and, in some cases, automatically activate the massaging seats.
Put that to one side, and you’ll find the cabin spacious for four adults (there are five ‘full-size’ seats, but you might lack a little elbow and shoulder room if you fill all of them with big people) and the 560-1470-litre boot’s usefully larger than the previous X2.
Before you buy (trims and rivals)
Not much choice when it comes to trim levels – the sDrive20i comes in M Sport spec and the M35i comes in its own M Performance specification that is… very similar to M-Sport spec. The faster car gets 20-inch alloys instead of 19s (remember the ride comfort issues? Hmmm) but both feature the M Adaptive suspension, Shadowline exterior jewellery, M interior finishing and a comprehensive suite of gadgets and assisted drive tech.
Only the M35i gets the iconic grille business, however, and a standard-fit Harman Kardon hi-fi system.
As for rivals, there aren’t many as overtly sporting as the X2. There’s the Audi Q3 Sportback, that’s pretty close, but also ancient. You could go for a Mercedes-Benz GLA or a Range Rover Evoque, yet neither will give you quite the same racy look. The Cupra Formentor is more like it, but lacks the outright premium image. Make your choice.
BMW X2 – the initial verdict
The second-generation BMW X2 is a likeable machine, but one that’s tough to love – at least in M35i guise. It’s spacious, well equipped, comes with lots of the latest tech and doesn’t even look that bad by modern BMW standards (the back end’s a touch weird, but still). Performance is strong, if somehow unsatisfying.
The ride, however, is too much. And perhaps so is the price. The Countryman JCW might not have that dashing coupe profile, but it’s £9k cheaper and offers almost identical capabilities, based on very similar components. Though as we said at the start, there’s nothing logical about any of this.
The all-electric iX2 is a sweeter drive, all told, so if you can cope with the charging requirements that’s definitely worth a closer look.
Specs below are for the BMW X2 M35i